MORLEY, Australia (Interstat) — The East Perth women’s basketball team, riding an 8-2 record atop the NBL standings, hosts the struggling Perth Redbacks (2-7) on Saturday at 7 p.m. local time.

East Perth enters on a two-game winning streak after a 93-78 victory over Joondalup City on May 23. Forward Sarah Mortensen posted 20 points, 14 rebounds and three assists in that game. Over her last five outings, Mortensen has averaged 19.6 points and 10.4 rebounds, including a double-double in four of those contests.

The Redbacks have lost seven straight since a 93-79 win over Goldfields on April 25. Their most recent defeat came Friday, 96-84 at Mandurah, despite 21 points from guard Olivia Berry and 20 points from swing player Samantha Ashby.

Ashby, a scoring threat, has averaged 23.4 points over her last four games, including a 34-point, nine-rebound, seven-assist performance in a 102-96 overtime loss at Goldfields on May 9. She leads Perth’s offense but has struggled with consistency as the team ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring defense.

East Perth’s balanced attack also features guard Stacey Barr, who had 17 points and six assists against Joondalup City, and forward Sydney Wright, who scored 26 points in that win. The home team has won four of its last five games at Morley.

Perth will need to contain Mortensen in the paint while finding scoring from Ashby and Berry to keep pace. The Redbacks have allowed 90 or more points in four of their last six losses.

Saturday’s game is the first of two meetings this season; the teams will meet again July 11 at Perth’s home court.